The Nigerian economy is still predominantly agrarian and women are key players in agribusiness sector of the economy both in rural and urban communities. The role played by women and their positions in meeting the challenges of agricultural production and development are quite dominant and prominent. The relevance and significance of women in agriculture in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Women are known to be more involved in agricultural activities than men in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, Nigeria inclusive. As much as 73 % were involved in cash crops, arable and vegetable gardening, while postharvest activities had 16 % and 15% in agroforestry. Their involvements in agriculture in Nigeria has attracted greater attention in recent years and this can be attributed to the Theme of this year International Women Day’s titled “Be Bold for Change”. They are the agents of change in diversification of Nigerian economy from oil sector to non-oil sector particularly in agriculture.

Findings from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) showed that women are responsible for more than half of the world food production and could produce up to 60 to 80% of food stuffs in Africa and make up to between 60 and 80 % of agricultural labour force in Nigeria. In addition, women supply most of the needed labour in agricultural activities and this is the most important factor of production to farmers, as it is needed at every stage of agricultural production. Women are actively involved in all farm works such as planting weeding, harvesting, storage and marketing. Women also dominate agricultural marketing of different crops (such as maize, rice, yam, cassava, vegetables, etc) and livestock (such as poultry, piggery, rabbitery etc) with percentage of between 60 and 90. Women take the lead in processing of these agricultural products in addition to their domestic and reproductive responsibilities within the farming households.

Hence, Women engage in all the stages across the food supply chain starting from food production, food processing to marketing and distribution of agricultural commodities (both raw and processed) as well as ensuring food security and nutritional development in Nigeria  and the Africa at large.

Are you a woman and you have a good number of years of experience in different  farming operations, food processing procedures and marketing of agricultural commodities but because of your busy schedule you don’t have time to write, edit, design, transcribe, review, print, promote, proof, publish online and/or market your book idea on agribusiness? You can log on to http://issacharprojects.com/

Happy International Women’s Day!

REFERENCES

Afolabi, M.M.(2008): Women as Pillars of National Economy in Nigeria: A Study of Economic Activities of Rural Women in Six Local Government Areas of Ondo State. IAFFE Summer Conference, International Association for Feminist Economics, Torino, Italy.

CTA. (2000): The role of Smallholder’s Farmers in Seed Production System. Report and Recommendation of a Study Visit Organized by the Technical Centre for Agricultural System.

Gideon, P. K. and Yager, G. O. (2016): Role of Women Farmers in Agricultural Development in Jalingo Local Government Area, of Taraba State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 12(1):75-79

IFAD. (1993): The state of world rural poverty: A profile of Africa, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Rome, Italy

Mohammed, B. T. and Abdulquadri, A. F. (2012): Comparative analysis of gender involvement in agricultural production in Nigeria. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics. 4(8): 240-244

Ogunlela Y. I. and Mukhtar A. A. (2009): Gender Issues in Agriculture and RuraL Development in Nigeria: The Role of Women. Humanity & Social Sciences Journal 4 (1): 19-30

Rahman, S.A. (2008): Women’s involvement in agriculture in northern and southern Kaduna State. Journal of Gender Studies, 17: 17-26

World Bank. (2003): Nigeria: Women in agriculture, In: Sharing Experiences—Examples of Participating Approaches. The World Bank Group. The World Bank Participating Sourcebook, Washington, D.C. http:/www.worldbank.org/wbi/publications.html